Ἐν πέντε κριτῶν γόνασι

[sc. This proverbial phrase arose] inasmuch as, long ago, 5 judges used to judge the comedies, as Epicharmus says.¹ In Homer it takes the form 'it lies in the laps of the gods'.² [The phrase arose] because the judges used to hold in their laps what they now write in ledgers.